Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe
Air Fryer Apple Fries are a delightful and healthier twist on the classic fried dessert. Made with tart Granny Smith apples coated in a spiced flour and egg batter, these crispy apple strips are air-fried to perfection and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Serve them with a sweet vanilla glaze for a delicious treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
- Author: Cleo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Apples
- 2 large Granny Smith apples
Batter
- 1 cup all purpose flour (130 grams)
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- 3 large eggs
Toppings and Coating
- 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar
- Cooking spray
Vanilla Icing
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons whole milk
- Prepare the Apples: Peel the apples thoroughly. Using a sharp knife or a fry cutter, slice the apples into thin strips, resembling fries. Set them aside for coating.
- Mix the Flour and Spice: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with the apple pie spice. Whisk together until evenly blended.
- Whisk Eggs: In a separate dish, whisk the three large eggs until well combined.
- First Flour Coat: Working in small batches, toss the apple fries into the flour and spice mixture. Use a slotted spoon to lift them out and shake off any excess flour.
- Dip in Egg: Dip each apple fry into the whisked eggs, then shake off any excess egg before placing them back into the flour and spice mixture. Turn to coat all sides evenly.
- Second Flour Coat: Ensure that all apple fries are coated well but shake off any extra flour to prevent clumping. Lay them on a wire rack lined with parchment paper to catch excess flour and for easy cleanup.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 325ºF and allow it to preheat fully for best results.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Generously spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil from a spray bottle. Arrange the apple fries in a single layer without overlapping. Apply a generous spray of cooking oil over the tops of the fries.
- First Cook Cycle: Cook the apple fries in the air fryer for 5 minutes. Then, turn the fries, spray them again with cooking oil, and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar: Remove the fries from the air fryer and transfer them onto a cooling rack or basket. Immediately sprinkle with cinnamon sugar while they are hot to ensure it sticks well. Note that the flour coating is unsweetened, so this step adds the necessary sweetness.
- Cook Remaining Batches: Repeat the frying and cinnamon sugar coating process for the rest of the apple fries in batches.
- Make Vanilla Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of whole milk. Add additional milk tablespoon by tablespoon until the icing reaches a smooth, drizzling consistency.
- Serve: Serve the apple fries immediately for the best crispness. Offer the vanilla icing as a dip on the side or drizzle it over the fries for added sweetness.
Notes
- Make sure to shake off excess flour after each coat to ensure the fries crisp well in the air fryer.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches for even cooking.
- Use tart Granny Smith apples for a balanced sweet and tangy flavor.
- The icing consistency can be adjusted by adding more or less milk to suit preference.
- Serve apple fries immediately to enjoy optimal crispness; they may soften if left too long.
- Cooking spray or oil helps achieve a golden crispy exterior in the air fryer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 6-7 apple fries)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: air fryer apple fries, apple dessert, healthy apple fries, cinnamon sugar apple fries, vanilla glaze apple fries